More money than sens
Malaysian currency - ringgits and sens (as in ‘cents’) - really is rather good.
For these two reasons:
1. The notes are all different sizes and colours according to their denomination; and the coins are similarly logically sized/coloured. On the very first day I used both notes and coins, at a supermarket, I found myself paying for something as quickly as a native. This is as opposed to any time I’m in America, when I stand deliberating like a tourist (or in the case of notes: a native), trying to work out the denomination of each note and the value of each coin. It could possibly be the world’s simplest currency.
2. One Malaysian Ringgit is roughly equal to 15 British pence - which means that you think you’re spending a lot, when in fact you’re spending very little. As a result, you find yourself curbing your spending (even though goods are much cheaper over here) as your brain thinks that 50 Ringgits is a fortune, when actually it’s about five quid. This is very helpful when you are, as I am, up financial poo creek without a Ringgit.
(PS. I was originally going to call this post ‘Notes From A Small Island’ - which, thinking about it, could have been a good alternative title for the blog. Maybe that’s what I’ll call my next one, should I ever find myself singing in Corsica/Sicily/Anglesey).
February 18th, 2008 at 6.03pm
or the isle of wight, heaven forbid
February 18th, 2008 at 6.30pm
naah - then I’d call it ‘A Ryde Ol’ Time’, or something similar.
February 18th, 2008 at 6.56pm
haha! Or the ever popular “Ryde a Painted Pony”.
February 18th, 2008 at 6.58pm
Or Bembridge Over Troubled Water
February 18th, 2008 at 9.22pm
Oman doesn’t have coins. One real is about £1.30. So when you fill your tank up with 60 litres of petrol and they say that’ll be 5 Reals please, you’re really confused.
Love Fiona Factfile x
February 18th, 2008 at 9.34pm
Hello Vic!
February 18th, 2008 at 11.39pm
Rachel, so that means that petrol in Oman is about 12p per litre?!
February 19th, 2008 at 8.13am
Yes Pete. Your deductive powers are fine tuned. Moreso than were mine. x
February 19th, 2008 at 8.14am
I handed over my 50 Real note. That confused them!
February 19th, 2008 at 6.18pm
Would Richy Edwards of the Manics have paid 4 Reals?
February 19th, 2008 at 9.51pm
hi charlotte
tis rather cool but very hot out here
hope you is good
February 19th, 2008 at 10.01pm
mmm the last message was actually by vic, not andrea was logged in wrong…